Twist of Fate
从碧海到蓝天的转变
In 2008, just before Song and Wan completed their university degrees, the Rescue and Salvage Bureau, under the Ministry of Transport, decided — for the first, and so far only, time in its history — to recruit female university graduates. Not only did that development make history in China, it was the start of soaring careers for the two young women.

As they completed their program, Song and Wan, like their classmates, expected to become sailors or find related jobs with marine-based companies. Although they had never dreamed of becoming pilots, they took the bureau's recruiting test, with other classmates, most of whom failed. The two-part test — a physical examination and interview — was extraordinarily difficult. Finally, only Song, who is 175 centimeters (cm) tall and Wan, who is 167 cm tall, were recruited.

When asked about the recruitment test, both women said they were lucky, as they had not expected to become pilots. Song admits she had no idea how a plane could fly. It would be fair to say they became pilots by accident.

Busy Days in Adelaide
在阿德莱德的日子
After they were recruited, Song and Wan signed employment contracts with Donghai First Flying Rescue Team. The team developed customized training for the two young women. In December 2008, after they completed several training sessions, Song and Wan were sent to Australia to attend Flying Training Adelaide (FTA), one of the world's leading pilottraining institutions. They completed a 15-month flight-training program.

Song and Wan, who were friends in university, supported and encouraged each other during their stay in Adelaide. Wan recalls how Song often mimicked flying a plane. "She would always spread her arms and pretend to be flying fast," she says.
Song admits that she wasn't a diligent student, but notes she worked "very hard" during training in Australia. "In Adelaide, I studied even harder than when I prepared for the collegeentrance exam. Every day, I had class from 8 am to 4:30 pm.At noon, I only had one hour to eat lunch and have a rest. I read books and did homework at night. Before exams, I would study till 2 am. I … studied English."

Song's favorite homework was working out the next day's flight plan. Why? It required her to use data to predict wind direction and speed, as well as the amount of fuel needed for the helicopter. She says flying has given her a sense of achievement that she has not previously experienced.

Song and Wan had to complete dozens of courses; they had to work hard to succeed and overcome hardships, otherwise,they would have been forced out of the program.

Wan encountered hardships in the beginning, as she needed time to adjust to the program and her surroundings. Song also had some setbacks; she failed two flying tests. "I thought I could pass the flight-operation test, but I was wrong. I didn't know why. Later, I thought I might operate correctly during training, but, in fact, I didn't fully grasp the skills," Song recalls.

During those days, Wan encouraged Song, which helped their friendship grow stronger. In university, they were in the same year, but different classes; however, they knew each other, as both were popular students. Song was a charming and attractive girl while Wan was one of the top 10 singers at the university.

"At that time, we lived on the same floor in the university's dormitory. When I was reading in the room, I always heard Wan chasing and playing with others. She liked to play. It's so good that we can become colleagues," Song says.

On February 14, 2010, which was Spring Festival (Chinese New Year), Song took her third flying test in a helicopter. Her instructor, who was from Hong Kong, gave her a red envelope with five yuan (77 US cents) to wish her good luck. (In traditional Chinese culture, red symbolizes good luck and auspiciousness, especially during Spring Festival.)

Song passed the test. "That day was the happiest day of my life," she recalls. That night, she, Wan and other friends went to Chinatown to eat delicious food and to celebrate the festival — and her success.During their down time, they watched Up! Up! To the Sky,a film produced by Hong Kong Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) and shot in Adelaide. Song and Wan went to the lawn on which the film's protagonists laid and the court — near their dorm — where the protagonists played basketball. "The experience made us feel as if we were present, at the scene," Wan says.

Wan and Song returned to China in 2010, after they had received their commercial certificates, issued by the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (CDA) and the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), to fly helicopters. They were welcomed at the airport by their colleagues and family members. One person commented: "You're thinner, but more mature."

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